Tribal Election Marketing

I finished reading Tribes, by Seth Godin over the weekend, and as usual Seth continues to inspire. We all ‘know’ what tribal marketing is, simply from our exposure to it, Apple, and Harley Davidson are based on tribal marketing. 

I love that I finished this book before reading Seth’s blog post regarding today’s election and the candidates tribal marketing strategies. Campaigning for a seat in a political office has got to be the most tribal form of marketing, and yet most of us over look it. I will not be as bold as Seth as to call the election one way or the other, (although I do believe he has gotten it right) but I will say that we will very soon learn who’s tactics have paid off, and why. 

What makes the Obama supporters so much more enthused (and therefore willing to donate millions) about their candidate than the McCain supporters? Obama got beyond his fear of being a leader, got beyond his fear of speaking up for what he believes in, and was able to inspire a nation to follow him. Obama also figured out what were the common, core beliefs of his followers and embraced them. Obama was able to successfully lead, to successfully inspire a tribe to follow him, to believe in him, and to act on their beliefs.  

The McCain supporters look much more frazzled, dangling, and non-united, with no real base to speak of. They are scattered. Worst of all McCain’s position is not that of a specified McCain / republican attitude, but that of an anti-Obama sentiment. He has done more defending than propositioning and leading. Sad. 

Just my 2 cents.